Within the data, a breakdown of school cohort size revealed that pupils scored nearly the exact same average scaled score regardless of cohort size – although there was a slight benefit of smaller cohorts in reading.

Average scaled scores for primary pupils

Under the new scaled score system, pupils had to achieve 100 or above in all three subjects to reach the government’s expected standard.

On average, pupils achieved 103 in reading, 104 in writing, and 103 in maths.

A further breakdown of class sizes revealed that small year 6 classes of one to 15 pupils achieved an average scaled score of 104 in reading, and 103 in writing and maths.

Cohorts of more than 91 pupils in large schools achieved 103 in reading, 104 in writing and 103 in maths – indicating there was no significant benefit to learning in a smaller class.

Neil Short, an education consultant and chair of the National Association for Small Schools (NASS), said that today’s statistics “proves that if you have good teachers working hard then it doesn’t matter what the cohort size is, you will achieve good results. It is all about the context of the individual school.”